Rozi Plain is out on the road, touring her new album Prize around the UK and France, and what a prize it is. Typically seen on stage with friends such as This Is The Kit and Alabaster Deplume, it was refreshing to watch Rozi performing her own songs live, front and centre for a change.
Her fifth album since 2008, Prize offers good-hearted folksy indie which would be easy to overlook amongst the attention-grabbing postpunk and hyper-pop of recent years. But modesty is no bad thing in Rozi’s case: sometimes there’s nothing better than a warm bowl of indie on a weeknight in winter.
Rozi and her band swung into Cardiff on the fourth day of Independent Venue Week, attracting a good-sized crowd. The album’s jaunty melodies and delicately woven keyboard lines sounded even more crisp and buoyant in a live setting, causing a gentle sway and infectious foot-tap throughout the room.
Attendees of Cardiff’s beloved Clwb Ifor Bach appeared relaxed, comforted even, by Rozi’s presence – her natural charisma onstage. Gaps between songs were filled with anecdotes, laughter, and organic chit-chat with the audience. Performing the majority of Prize’s 10 tracks, with a few nods to 2019’s What A Boost, the night ended with a brief encore – just enough time to perform a fan-favourite, Actually.
Rozi Plain, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Thurs 2 Feb
words ROSANNA LEWIS
Want more music?
The latest reviews, interviews, features and more, from Wales and beyond.